Toto: Africa background

Music

Who wrote the song?

David Paich and Jeff Porcaro

When was it recorded and released?

It was recorded in 1981 and released in 1982

What instruments are used?

Drum kit , additional percussion, lead guitar, bass guitar, synthesizers, male lead vocalist and male backing vocalists

What is the tempo?

Moderately fast

What are the dynamics?

Most of the song is mezzo-forte whilst choruses are forte

What is the form and structure?

Verse / chorus form

What is the tonality?

The majority of the song is in B major whilst the choruses are all in A major

What is the harmony?

Diatonic throughout

What is the melody?

The melody is mostly conjunct (moving in step) and includes occasional use of the pentatonic scale.

What is the texture?

Homophonic (melody and accompaniment)

What is the rhythm and meter?

There are ostinato rhythms consisting almost totally of quavers, with constant use of sycopation. The time signature is 2/2 (split common time) throught

What is the pitch?

The pitch range of the vocal line is just less than two octaves on the printed score, but it is wider on the recording with the vocal improvisations.

What are the intro chords?

A Clumsy (SHARP MINOR) Cat (SHARP MINOR) Crashed (SHARP MINOR)

What are the verse chords?

Bad Drivers (SHARP MINOR) Get(SHARP MINOR) Bad /F(SHARP) Apples/E Even/F Good RIFF A x3

Brilliant Drivers (SHARP MINOR) Get (SHARP MINOR) Great (SHARP MINOR) Apples Green (SHARP MINOR/C SHARP MINOR) Cos (SHARP MINOR) Can (SHARP MINOR)

What are the chorus chords?

Fun (SHARP MINOR) Drivers Always Eat Fat (SHARP MINOR) Drivers And Eggs